Jaydev Unadkat signs multi-year contract extension with English County team

The 32-year-old Indian left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat has signed a multi-year extended contract with the English County team Sussex. 

Jaydev Unadkat started to play for Sussex in 2023, where the left-arm pacer took 11 wickets in three County Championship matches. Later, in the 2024 season, while Sussex won the Division Two title, Unadkat picked up 22 wickets in five matches with an average of 14.40. In the latest County Championship season, Unadkat ended with the best bowling average for his team. 

Good Old Sussex by The Sea has my heart: Jaydev Unadkat

Now, Unadkat has signed a two-year contract with Sussex. It means that the left-arm pacer will serve Sussex in the 2025 and 2026 County Championship seasons. 

In the official statement, Undakat said, "When I came to Hove last year, I wasn't sure what was on offer in the County Championship and how would I adapt to it. But after a few games now, I can definitely say Hove is my home away from home and Good Old Sussex by The Sea has my heart.”

One of the most popular and nicest guys any team could wish for: Sussex head coach

Meanwhile, Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace is excited with this contract extension news.  

Farbrace said, "Everyone at Hove is very pleased and excited that Jaydev [Unadkat] has signed a two-year extension and will be returning to the Club for the next two seasons. 

"Jaydev's quality on the pitch has been so evident for everyone else to see, but just as importantly his qualities as a person make him one of the most popular and nicest guys any team could wish for."

Undakat is currently busy in the Ranji Trophy where he is leading Saurashtra. 

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India will tour England in the 2025 summer

While Unadkat is ready to return to Sussex for the next season, India will interestingly tour England in the 2025 summer for a five-match Test series. If the team India suffers any injury issue in the pace bowling line-up, Unadkat can be a good option. 

Unadkat made his international cricket debut in 2010 and has played four Tests, eight ODIs, and ten T20Is to pick up three, nine, and 14 wickets, respectively. 

During India's tour of the West Indies and the United States in 2023, Unadkat played his last Test and ODI matches. His last T20I was the Nidahas Trophy 2018 Final.

In his first-class cricket career, Unadkat has taken 425 wickets in 119 matches. He has also picked up 179 List A wickets and 226 T20 wickets in 124 and 191 matches, respectively.